
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

CliapVl Copyright No. 



Shelf.fxM.A7 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



ALAMO 



AND 



OTHER VERSES 



From the desert I come to thee ' 



PUBLISHED BY 

EDWARD McQueen gray 

Croftonhill Ranch, Florence, New Mexico 



LONDON 

Care of A. & F. DENNY 

304 Strand, W. C. 



WO CO' 



^\/j 



A^ 



Tl? t7^ ^ 



2875 



Copyright 
MDCCCXCVIII 

BY 

EDWARD McQueen gray 



ENTERED AT STATIONERS HALL 

A II rights reserved 



Parue nee inuideo sine me liber ibis in urbem 
Hei mihi quo domino non licet ire tuo. 

Uade liber uerbisque meis loca grata saluta 
Contingam certe quo licet ilia pede. 

Longa uia est propera nobis habitabitur orbis 
Ultimus a terra terra remota mea. 



TO THE PUBLIC. 

The proceeds of the sale of this little volume are 
to be applied in defraying the expenses of a Free 
Circulating Library and Literary Institute at Florence, 
New Mexico. Access to a store of sound literature 
is a social need, and nowhere is it more urgent than 
in this secluded district, remote from the centres of 
civilization and cut off. by its isolated position from 
the common interchange of thought and knowledge. 
It is the earnest desire of the writer to mitigate as 
far as possible this intellectual deprivation, and he 
places his book in the hands of the public in the 
hope that by their kindly support he may win for 
his desire fulfilment. All who feel sufficiently inter- 
ested in the matter to wish for information as to the 
progress of the enterprise are cordially invited to 
communicate with the writer. 

7 



PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION. 
n S it seems probable that the sales of this Book 

n 

' ' will be considerable, and the resulting profit 
larger than was at first anticipated, the writer has 
decided to place the proceeds in the Bank of Ros- 
well, to form a fund to be entitled tlie Free Library 
Fund, which, after provision has been made for this 
district, will be applied to such other localities as 
shall seem most likely to derive benefit therefrom. 



CONTENTS. 



To America : Proem . 

Alamo .... 

mocking-bird 

In Arcady 

The Lone Star of Texas 

At the Meet 

Epoue .... 

Dear Little Friend . 

To the Pecos Valley 

Sweet Emma Moreland 

The Exile's Message 

Victoria 

Heart of the Sea 

I Called to Love 

Three Wishes 

Rio Pecos, Pecos River 

L'Envoi 



PAGE 
II 

i6 

50 
57 
61 
69 

77 

80 

84 

89 

92 

98 

105 

117 

127 

147 
164 



TO AMERICA: PROEM. 

Chief daughter of a lordly race, 

The eldest-born and mightiest thou, 

Freedom is in thy step, and grace 
Is on thy brow. 



Lo, where thy spreading garments sweep 
From icy North to torrid South, 

Atlantic and Pacific leap 
To kiss thy mouth. 



From keys where endless summer burns. 
Land that of seasons knows but one, 

To yon dim Cape that vainly yearns 
For sight of sun. 



12 TO AMERICA : PROEM, 

About thy head the icel)ergs meet, 
Near neighbour of the frozen sea; 

The Gulfstream bathes thy burning feet 
And smiles at thee. 



Before the rising sun can gild 
The edge of thy Pacific Slope, 

Thy Eastern noon has seen fulfilled 
The morning's hope. 



The weary day has sunk to rest 
Long since on thy Atlantic shores; 

Yet still on Catalina's crest 
The sunlight pours. 



Among thy sons I see thee stand. 
Thy firm dominion none assails; 

Across a thousand leagues of land 
Thy word prevails. 



TO AMERICA : PROEM. I3 

Amid the blaze imperial 

Of high and haughty dynasty 
I see thee pass, thy coronal 

Simplicity. 

Unvanqiiished Virgin of the West! 

Undaunted daughter of the Dawn ! 
Remember that from England's breast 

Thy milk was drawn. 



We blame thee not that thou didst cast 
The hand that would restrain away, 

And deemed the rule that held thee fast 
A tyrant's sway. 

We bear no grudge that thou didst win 
The fight that left thy nation free ; 

Our hearts were with thee then, thy kin 
Approved of thee. 



14 TO AMERICA : PROEM. 

Yet think not short-lived injuries 
Endured a while, avenged at last, 

Outweigh the glorious centuries 
Together passed. 



Partaker in our ancient fame, 
Our history thy heritage. 

The herald scrolls of England claim 
Thy lineage. 



Thou art a sister of the Blood; 

Thou art a daughter of the House ; 
Great offspring of a giant brood. 

Thy heart arouse: 



Upon the shore thy brothers stand. 
Thy mother looks across the sea; 

Sister, step forth and take the hand 
She oflfers thee. 



TO AMERICA : PROEM. 15 

Forgotten be the former feud, 

Remembered not the bitter score, 
Be mutual love and faith renewed 

For evermore. 



Cousin — for thou no colder name 
From lips of mine shalt ever hear- 

Behold, I come to thee and claim 
A word of cheer. 



ALAMO. 



A lurid lustre cast 

Upon the page of Time 

Displays a dismal past 

Of havoc and a sight 

Of sacrifice sublime, 

Of heroes burning bright 

With patriotic fire; 

A solemn funeral pyre. 
That holy ground, that sacred sod. 
Where once the Mission fathers trod 
And humbly knelt before their God, 

More sacred, holier far 
Became when streamed the crimson flood 
Of patriots who for freedom stood, 
And stained thy altar with their blood, 

Antonio de Bexar. 
i6 



ALAMO, 17 

A peaceful convent stood 

Within a precinct wall; 

Where once the cottonwood 

Its grateful shadow gave, 

The Mission bell would call 

Comanche squaw and brave 

To worship and to prayer; 

What thought of bloodshed there? 
Yet stricken field has never seen 
A sterner shock, a fight more keen, 
More ruthless, than the final scene 

Thy ruined walls can show. 
When those whose souls' heroic flame 
Opposing thousands could not tame, 
In death immortalized thy name, 

Memorial Alamo. 



Though spring had hardly shown 
Her face upon the land. 
Her harbingers had blown 



i8 ALAMO. 

The sullen winter north. 
By southern breezes fanned 
A warmer air put forth, 
All nature with its breath 
To wake to life from death. 
So Texas woke, the tyrant's chain 
Regarding with a high disdain, 
Upon her country's sons in pain 

Called loud for aid, and then 
From east to west the answer rang, 
To arms the fearless Texan sprang, 
The land resounded with the clang 
And tramp of armed men. 



Alas, that sunshine brief 
The chord had scarcely stirred 
Of happiness, when grief 
The champaign overspread. 
A wintry blast was heard; 
Down dropped the Hly dead; 



ALAMO. 

Upon the land below- 
Lay like a pall the snow. 
Devoted Texas! swiftly passed 
That day of joy, and with the blast 
Of chill defeat that overcast 
Thy sky of hope, a foe 
That knew no mercy, honour none, 
Inhuman cut-throats every one, 
Moved on to train the deadly gun 
On San Antonio. 



The tale were long to tell 
Of Spanish tyranny; 
By Mexican as well 
The Texan settler crushed 
Demanded liberty 
In vain, then fiercely rushed 
Upon the foe, in flame 
And sword his nation's name 
To vindicate, and prove again 



19 



ALAMO. 

The sons of Norman, Saxon, Dane, 
That swept the Spaniard from the main 

And cast him on the strand, 
As dauntless were and reckless still, 
As fit to curb the Spaniards' will, 
And make him humbly own their skill 

In battle on the land. 



Within a space of days 
Scarce thought upon, so swift 
They passed, the victor's bays 
Had graced each warrior's brow. 
Short was the tyrant's shrift; 
A day of triumph now 
The patriots had won; 
For them still shone the sun. 
Then first the Texan's haughty foe 
Beheld amid his overthrow 
The flag he later learned to know 
Too well, when from Bexar 



ALAMO. 21 

His sullen squadrons backward drew, 
And flauntingly flung forth to view, 
Blazed out upon a field of blue 
Alone, a golden star. 

The men that gathered there 

Were heroes one and all; 

Was naught they would not dare 

To do in freedom's cause; 

Adventurers we call 

Those who but Nature's laws 

Obey, and scorn man's creed; 

Yet in the hour of need 
Such men as those have saved a state; 
They dare to challenge death and fate. 
Like that old man who from debate 

And council breaking free. 
Cried, laying bare his locks of snow, 
" With old Ben Milam who will go 
Right into San Antonio? 

Up, boys, and follow me ! " 



ALAAfO. 

That gallant fighter led 

Three hundred such as he; 

Among the deathless dead 

Who paid for victory 

His name will ever be 

A living memory; 

And Texas still shall tell 

The spot where Milam fell. 
Four days, four nights, the fighting sped, 
From house to house the foemen fled, 
The streets were cumbered with the dead 

In San Antonio: 
Till on the fifth, in headlong flight 
Hurled from the plaza, in affright 
The foe fell back, and banner white 

Disgraced the Alamo. 



The victory was won, 
The struggle overpast; 
And ere the set of sun 



ALAMO. 23 

The Mexican command 

Departing, from the last 

Of tyrants freed the land. 

The young republic rose 

Victorious o'er her foes. 
Then, Texas, in thy triumph's hour, 
From San Fernando's belfry tower 
Rang out a chime that swept with power 

To Mission Concepcion: 
Then San Jose and far San Juan 
Took up the peal and passed it on, 
Till San Francisco's bastion 

Reechoed with the tone. 



On distant Mexico 
The news of her disgrace 
Fell like a sudden blow. 
The tyrant deeply swore 
To extirpate the race 
Of rebels and in gore 



24 ALAMO. 

To wipe away the shame 

Of downfall from the name 
Of that mixed horde whose lineage base, 
Declining from the courtly race 
That bore the Don's patrician face, 

Hidalgo and Creole, 
Had reached a vile and mongrel crew. 
Mestizo convicts dark of hue, 
Besotted clods, who hardly knew 

Possession of a soul. 



Four thousand men on foot 
And half as many more 
On horseback took the route 
That eastward leads below 
The Rio Grande's shore 
To San Antonio. 
The ravage of their hand 
Spread terror through the land. 
Where then was Texas? From afar 



ALAMO. 25 

Her sons beheld the tide of war 
Roll on unchecked, nor dared to bar 

Its passage, and the foe 
Pressed on amid the cannon's boom 
In serried ranks, while sullen gloom 
And sad presentiment of doom 

Held San Antonio. 



Some six or seven score 

Of stalwart volunteers 

The city reached before 

The enemy drew nigh. 

Men those that knew not tears, 

Stern-lipped and keen of eye; 

Theirs not to heed or care, 

Theirs but to do and dare. 
There dauntless Travis led his band. 
There Bowie made his desperate stand, 
And reckless Crockett from the land 

Of distant Tennessee 



26 ALAMO. 

Burst in with twelve backwoodsmen bold, 
Cast in the same heroic mould, 
And shouted, '' Fellows, we've been told 
We've got to die with ye! " 

Among them thought of flight 

Or fear of death was none, 

But rather fierce delight 

Through those wild spirits spread. 

What though the morrow's sun 

Should see them cold and dead? 

To them a gambler's stake 

Was life, to lose or take. 
Men call the desperado's fame 
His land's abasement, yet the same 
Fierce fire has blazed with kindred flame 

Within her noblest sons. 
When heroes rapt with courage high. 
Shoulder to shoulder, hand and eye 
Unswerving, calmly march to die 

Before the belching guns. 



ALAMO. 27 



At midnight, while the dance 
Was at its height, a cry 
Was heard, " The foe advance ! 
And soon the roUing drum 
Proclaimed the danger nigh. 
The hour of fate had come. 
By noon the hostile van 
Had reached the Alazan, 
Where Santa Anna, with a face 
Betokening nor ruth nor grace, 
His squadrons halting for a space 
Upon the heights that crown 
The mesa, sent abroad his fleet 
Guerrilla horse, to bar retreat 
Or hope of succour and complete 
The leaguer of the town. 



The foe came slowly on ; 
The volunteers withdrew 
In order every one 



28 ALAMO. 

Towards the Alamo. 
When Santa Anna knew 
The thrice accursed foe 
Lay thus within his gripe 
He laughed aloud, and ripe 
For slaughter, with a monster's glee 
Destruction in supreme degree 
Prepared for those who scorned to flee 

Before his motley horde, 
This mandate sending, they should take 
If aught they cared for life's sweet sake 
What terms soe'er he willed to make; 
If not, then fire and sword 
Should be the rebel's fate; 
Such was his h.aughty word. 
His messengers, elate 
And sure of victory 
Returning, quickly heard 
The volunteers' reply. 
Aloud the cannon spoke, 
And from the Texans broke 



ALAMO. 29 

A shout that grandly through the blue 
Rang out from loyal hearts and true, 
And Santa Anna surely knew 

His foemen one and all 
Were men in battle's burning light 
Exulting, still their souls' delight 
In freedom's cause to fiercely fight 

And fiercely fighting fall. 



Such was the answer stern 
That gallant Travis gave; 
May still as brightly burn 
The fire of liberty 
Within us, and the grave 
Seem but a mockery 
Of words, a thing of naught, 
And freedom cheaply bought 
By life laid down in honour's cause, 
When to defend her soil and laws 
Our country bids us to the jaws 



30 ALAMO. 

Of death and hell advance; 
Then, freemen, at your nation's call, 
Lay on like men, and if ye fall. 
Your country's banner be your pall, 
And count it happy chance 
To die a hero's death; 
'Tis sanctified of God; 
Short is our mortal breath, 
But an immortal life 
Is theirs who, on the sod 
A consecrated strife 
Has hallowed, for their land 
Fall by a tyrant's hand. 
To us the name of Travis still 
Stands for indomitable will 
And purpose undisturbed by chill 

Disaster or defeat; 
Immovable as some sea wall 
On which in vain the billows fall, 
He calmly wrote : " I never shall 
" Surrender or retreat." 



ALAMO. 31 



What leader ever spoke 
A more inspiring word? 
The serf's degrading yoke 
Can never bow the necks 
Of those whose souls are stirred 
To such resolve, nor vex 
The men for whom the light 
Of freedom burning bright 
Within their hearts a guiding star 
Becomes that beckons from afar 
And leads them on, of peace and war 

The arbiter supreme; 
Before it see the tyrant cower, 
Thrones totter, and unholy power, 
Deathstricken, shrivel like a flower 
Beneath that scorching beam. 



Twelve days unceasing falls 
The cannon's deadly shower 
Upon the Mission walls; 



32 ALAMO. 

Yet ever undismayed 
The Texans in the hour 
Of that fierce cannonade 
Disdain the growing breach, 
And fiercely long to reach 
The craven Mexicans who lurk 
Like dogs behind the lurid murk 
Of powder-smoke and basely shirk 

The final touch of war; 
While still their foe's defiant call 
Rings bravely from the crumbling wall, 
Still floats unsullied over all 
The lonely golden star. 



Will never succour come? 
Must those brave men be left 
To face a nation's scum 
Alone, and end their days 
Abandoned and bereft 
Like very castaways 



ALAMO. 33 

Of all deliverance? 

Must hopelessness enhance 
The bitterness of death, and fate 
Relentless as their foemen's hate 
Pursue them ever, and create 

With its resistless power 
A severance yet more complete 
From all that makes existence sweet? 
Must they forlorn, forsaken, greet 

The final, fatal hour? 



Alas! those fighters bold 
That gathered for the right 
Shall never now behold 
Another morrow's birth. 
The prevalence of might 
Is paramount on earth. 
The victory of wrong 
Is sure, for evil strong 
Encompasseth us all, the taint 
3 



34 ALAMO. 

Of man's corruption maketh faint 
The breath of justice, and the plaint 

Of suffering unmeet 
Unheeded passes evermore, 
While blockish multitudes before 
Success fall prostrate and adore 

Their idol's earthen feet. 



Yet one exulting throb 
Of pride those heroes knew. 
When through the savage mob 
Of mongrel soldiery 
Burst Bonham's thirty-two 
Brave comrades with a cry 
That woke a joyous thrill 
In every heart and chill 
Abandonment's embittering sense 
Dispelled for ever, while intense 
Delight of fellowship drove thence 



ALAMO. 35 

Their sagging doubts and fears; 
No more they felt themselves alone, 
Contentment in their faces shone, 
The shell-torn Mission's every stone 

Reechoed to their cheers. 

While every soldier pressed 

A gallant comrade's hand 

And felt with swelling breast 

The sense of brotherhood 

Upholding him to stand 

Unflinchingly, his blood 

To shed as one who throws 

A bauble from him, blows 
And wounds, with mangled flesh and torn. 
Contemning with the lofty scorn 
That those to noblest uses born 

May feel for meaner souls 
Who dully drag a weary load 
Of self along the dreary road 
Of life, while greed's corroding goad 

Their destinv controls. 



36 ALAMO, 

Think what devotion means, 
Ye men of colder blood, 
Like theirs, who in such scenes 
As these can scorn the path 
That seems to others good 
And rather brave the wrath 
Of tyrants to the death 
Than draw a coward's breath. 
Of these devoted martyrs each 
Put safety calmly from his reach, 
Resolved inflexibly to teach 

By his life's sacrifice 
The lesson nations need to learn, 
And tyranny doth surely earn, 
The lesson that the despot stern 
Has never needed twice. 



Nearer and nearer yet 
The day of trial draws; 
On tottering parapet 



ALAMO. yj 

And crumbling Mission wall 

The shells with never pause 

From twoscore cannon fall. 

Till gaping breaches made 

By bomb and carronade 
Reveal the Texan volunteers 
To Santa Anna's cannoneers 
Replying with derisive cheers, 

Defiant to a fault. 
" What, none but these? " the Mexican 
Exclaimed, " and shall that rebel clan 
Defy me thus? Let every man 

Advance to the assault! " 



All night the measured tramp 
Of marching men, the shout 
Of orders from the camp 
Was heard, and with the light 
Behind each grim redoubt 
Stood clustered troops; to right 



38 ALAMO, 

And left, in front and rear, 

Their serried ranks appear. 
Three thousand men before that frail 
And falling bulwark, to assail 
A scant two hundred — did they quail. 

Those Texan volunteers? 
We are not told, but surely feel 
That men like those, with nerves of steel, 
In war's stern shock will never reel. 

Can never taste of fears. 



Short was the breathing space; 
The trumpet sounds the charge; 
Across the deadly place 
A thousand soldiers dash. 
Like some unwieldy barge 
That drives with rending crash 
Upon a jagged rock 
And quivers at the shock 



ALAMO. 39 

From stem to stern, then toppling back 
With starting seams and yawning crack 
Drifts helplessly to utter wrack 

Upon the ruthless beach, 
In swift discomfiture, pell mell, 
The scared battalions backward fell; 
As welcome as the mouth of hell 

To them was that torn breach 

Where stood their dauntless foes. 

Twice they essayed to scale 

The parapet and close 

The struggle, but in vain. 

What though a flimsy rail 

But parted them? A rain 

Of bullets and the thrust 

Of bowie in the dust 
Laid many a soldier low; the rest, 
Like children from a hornet's nest, 
Fled shrieking, and their bastard zest 

For battle passed away; 
No stomach they for such a draught. 



40 ALAMO. 

Of valour's cup they had not quaffed, 
They staggered; loud the Texans laughed 
To note their disarray. 



" Will not those rebels die? " 

Cried Santa Anna, pale 

With fury as his eye 

Saw naught but broken lines 

And marked his soldiers quail. 

Shall convicts from the mines 

With freemen ever cope? 

Keep rather for the rope 
Such slaves as these, nor dare to mar 
With felon gangs the ranks of war. 
Most lovely is the honoured scar 

That tells of bravery ; 
But loathliest the festered mark 
That shows the chain's corroding cark 
Has seared the spirit with the dark 

Disgrace of slavery. 



ALAMO. 41 

At that low wall askance 

The swart mestizos gazed, 

Nor dared again advance 

Their columns to the fight. 

Their leader, less amazed 

Than maddened at the sight 

Of arrant cowardice 

That fears to jeopardize 
Its worthless life, in fury cried, 
*' My orders none has yet defied 
And lived — the issue now abide. 

You mongrel soldiery. 
Let Sesma bid his squadrons wheel 
Behind the lines and draw the steel 
Upon these dogs, to make them feel 

No choice but fight or die." 



Again the trumpet sounds; 

Again the fated few, 

Like stags beset by hounds. 



42 ALAMO. 

Or lion in a snare. 

Unequal fight renew. 

Bravest of brave were they; 

Yet impotent to stay 
With wearied arm and shattered sword 
The course of that o'erwhelming horde 
That through the breach tumultuous poured 

Like ocean's swelling tide; 
The foremost fall, yet wave on wave 
Rolls in upon the vainly brave 
And sweeps them backward where the grave 

Impartial opens wide 

Its soft maternal arms 

To children of the earth, 

Who sick of wanton harms 

And unrelenting woe 

That ever from their birth 

Hath harassed them, below 

The surge of tossing life 

Sink from the bitter strife 
To slumber deep and quiet rest. 



ALAMO, 43 

As babes upon a mother's breast 
Asleep, and lovingly caressed 

By tender father's hand; 
At home at last, their wandering o'er, 
They find the peace on sea and shore 
Long sought in vain, and leave no more 

The best beloved land. 



The butchery begins; 

" Deguello! " is the cry; 

And Santa Anna wins 

The devil's victory. 

Ah, what availeth high 

Emprise or gallantry? 

Yet fearless to the close 

The Texans faced their foes. 
From head to foot with gore imbrued, 
Wounded to death, yet unsubdued. 
Stern Travis, by a mob pursued. 

Defiant to the last. 



44 ALAMO. 

Turned fiercely with unbated will 
Upon them, swung his arm to kill, 
And shouting, " God and Texas still! '^ 
That dauntless spirit passed. 



His back against the wall, 
Towards the foe his face, 
Each Texan stood, the call 
Of freedom answering. 
To men thus dying, grace 
Divine doth surely bring 
Remission of ofifence 
And purge sin's consequence 
Away — earth knows no nobler end 
Of life than his who for a friend 
In need his blood will freely spend, 

Tis sum of human love; 
And those who feed the sacred flame 
Of freedom with their blood may claim 
As surely in their country's name 



ALAMO, 45 

Forgiveness from above 

For all their errors past. 

Grant that their lives had been 

Ignoble or unchaste : 

May not the valour shown 

In that concluding scene 

For trespasses atone 

And make their martyr blood 

Acceptable to God? 
What though the butcher tyrant's ire 
Condemned their corpses to the pyre? 
The smoke that rose from that fierce fire 

To glut the victor's spite 
Bore heavenward an incense sweet 
That floated to the judgment seat 
Of God above, and made complete 

The sacrificial rite. 



Ah, had the struggle been 
More equal, less unfair, 



46 ALAMO. 

That day had surely seen 

An issue different. 

Had Texas heard their prayer 

And timely succour sent? 

But one against a score! 

Could gods themselves do more 
Than those foredoomed to sacrifice, 
Fast bound like falchion in a vice, 
Or ship within the polar ice 

Gripped to the bitter end? 
What serves against the grinding floe 
The strength of timbers but to show 
That heart of oak in final throe 

May break, but never bend? 



Yet hold, nor idly waste 
In profitless regret 
A sigh for those who taste 
The cup of martyrdom. 
Mourn not for them, nor let 



ALAMO. 47 



One note of sorrow come 
From trembling lips and pale, 
But rather proudly hail 
Those scions of heroic breed, 
Begotten of the self-same seed 
As those who from a prince's greed 

America set free; 
For them no tear shall ever fall, 
Be sung no dirge funereal. 
But freedom's joyous festival 
Their requiem shall be. 



State of the Lonely Star! 
These heroes died for thee; 
They came from lands afar 
Thy children sore bested 
To succour and set free 
From tyranny and dread. 
They came and freely gave 
Their blood thy land to save. 



48 ALAMO. 

For thee they died — yet not in vain; 
For in that bitter hour the chain 
That kept thee servile broke in twain 

For ever, and we know 
How fiercely Texas rose in wrath 
And swept the tyrant from her path 
When San Jacinto's bloody swath 

Avenged the Alamo. 



O, liberty sublime! 

Divinest gift of God ! 

Defend throughout all time 

Thy humblest proselyte. 

And be the hallowed sod 

That witnessed freedom's fight 

A consecrated place 

Where men may see thy face. 
Hear thou the captive nation's prayer; 
Arise, thy majesty declare, 
Uphold the patriots who dare 



ALAMO. 49 

A despot disobey; 
Unsheath for them thy falchion bright, 
Stand thou beside them in the fight, 
And bring them safely to the light 

Of freedom's glorious day. 
4 



MOCKING-BIRD. 



I awoke with the first flush of dawn, 
While the mocking-bird out on the lawn 
His paean was shrilling unresting and filling 
My heart with the promise of morn, 

Mocking-bird, 
My heart with the promise of morn. 



I lay while the gathering light 
Was surely defeating the night 
And, tunefully swelling, thy music was telling 
Of happiness, love, and delight, 

Mocking-bird, 
Of happiness, love, and delight. 
50 



MOCKING-BIRD. 51 

And I knew the sweet singer of love, 
The lark with the heart of the dove, 
The thicket was haunting, unceasingly chanting 
A hymn to his Maker above, 

Mocking-bird, 
A hymn to thy Maker above. 

I lay while the cadences rare 
Were filling with music the air 
And bidding God's creatures, thou sweetest of 
teachers, 
Rejoice, and His glory declare. 

Mocking-bird, 
Rejoicing His glory declare. 

I lay while the shuddering moon 
Grew paler and paler, for soon 
The sun, her fierce lover, would come and discover 
Her heart to the pitiless noon, 

Mocking-bird, 
Her heart to the pitiless noon. 



52 MOCKING-BIRD. 

I lay till an amberine ray 
Sped over the prairie to play 
At gilding the leafage and marking the cleavage 
Of night from the glorious day, 

Mocking-bird, 
The cleavage of night from the day. 

I lay till a lancet of flame. 
Dashed swift with the passionate aim 
Of the sunlight, was launched at the cottonwood 
branched. 
Whence the voice of thy melody came, 

Mocking-bird, 
The voice of thy melody came. 

It passed with a truculent glare 
To the bower where his carolling rare 
The singer was pouring forth, sweetly adoring 
The God of the fowls of the air. 

Mocking-bird, 
The God of the fowls of the air. 



MOCKING-BIRD. 53 

It fell on his quivering throat, 
And smote into silence the note 
That rising and falling and plaintively calling, 
Across the alfalfa did float, 

Mocking-bird, 
Across the alfalfa did float. 

It fell, and the minstrel was mute. 
As when breath is withdrawn from the flute; 
Or when a string breaking, its office forsaking. 
Has silenced the voice of a lute, 

Mocking-bird, 
The musical voice of a lute. 

It fell, and the singer was still; 
Was silent the tremulous trill 
Whose lilting with gladness and sweetness and sad- 
ness 
The heart of thy hearer did fill. 

Mocking-bird, 
The heart of thy hearer did fill. 



54 MOCKING-BIRD. 

Was mute, while the thicket around 
Still echoed the carolling sound, 
Then softly decreasing and faintly surceasing 
Sank into a silence profound, 

Mocking-bird, 
Sank into a silence profound. 

Was still, but I took up the song, 
For a spirit that in me for long 
Had slumbered, awaking, its silence was breaking, 
And Poetry bore me along. 

Mocking-bird, 
Ah, Poetry bore me along. 

And I cried: O, thou marvellous bird. 
By thy magical melody stirred, 
All nature rejoices and musical voices 

Once more by my spirit are heard, 

Mocking-bird, 
The musical voices are heard. 



MOCKING-BIRD. 55 

O bird, is thy singing of choice? 
Or doth instinct but bid thee rejoice 
While daintily lancing the twilight entrancing 
With the shafts of thy quivering voice, 

Mocking-bird, 
The quivering shafts of thy voice? 

O bird, can I master thy art? 
Sweet singer, O, give me a part 
Of that jubilant magic, that tearfully tragic 
Refrain of thy passionate heart. 

Mocking-bird, 
That tragic refrain of thy heart. 

O bird, I must pay thee a toll; 
For breaking is sorrow's control; 
Thy singing to gladness is changing my sadness, 
And loosing the bonds of my soul. 

Mocking-bird, 
Thou'rt loosing the bonds of my soul. 



56 MOCKING-BIRD. 

O bird, with the song of the thrush, 
The lark, and the Hnnet, ah, hush. 
For the sound of thy singing has set my soul ringing 
And music comes back with a rush. 

Mocking-bird, 
Comes back to my soul with a rush. 

O friend, I can take up thy strain. 
Long, long was I silent and fain 
Had ended the sorrow that came with each morrow. 
But now I am singing again, 

Mocking-bird, 
Ah, now I am singing again. 

O brother, my summons is strong. 
And the impulse that bears me along 
My being shall never forsaking dissever 
My heart from the music of song. 

Mocking-bird, 
The music, the music of song. 



IN ARCADY. 



I seem to hear a distant sound, 

The echo of a martial tread, 
A muffled working underground, 

An angry movement overhead; 
The air is full of sullen fears, 

A ribald shout, a bitter cry; 
Their echoes hardly reach the ears 

Of me who live in Arcady. 



I read the once familiar names 
Of Federation and of League; 

Again the politician frames 

His privy counsel and intrigue; 

57 



58 IN ARCADY. 

I once believed they could convulse 
The globe and shape its destiny; 

But now they hardly stir the pulse 
Of me who live in Arcady. 



The jarring world is sick with doubt, 

The present fears futurity; 
Discord within and foes without, 

And jealous insecurity. 
The hidden stab, the fatal shriek, 

The bloody blade of treachery, 
Thank God, can never blanch the cheek 

Of me who live in Arcady. 



The armies muster by the strait. 
The foemen glare across the sea, 

Beside their guns the gunners wait 
The word that sets destruction free. 



IN ARCADY. 59 

In grim display upon the deep 
A nation's war-dogs watching lie; 

Let slip — ye cannot break the sleep 
Of me who live in Arcady. 



Pale dweller by the city's gates, 

By daily fret and struggle worn, 
Go, herd thee with thy trivial mates. 

And let me watch the growing corn. 
Go, cast abroad thy dreary jest, 

On Nature's bosom let me lie; 
Can ne'er be thine the quiet rest 

Of me who live in Arcady. 



While genius charms a gaping town, 
Be mine the task to turn the sod; 

Let others court the jade Renown, 
I trace in Nature Nature's God. 



6o IN ARCADY. 



Laugh, scoffer, till the bitter close 

Of life reveal its vanity; 
Thou canst not know the calm repose 

Of me who live in Arcady. 



With grateful heart I bless the day 

I grew aweary of the strife, 
Turned from the wrangling crowd away 

And sought a simpler, clearer life. 
Here in seclusion let me dwell, 

Here well contented let me die; 
Life has no sweeter tale to tell 

To me who live in Arcady. 



THE LONE STAR OF TEXAS. 



Star of the State am I, 
Liberty's token; 

Gold, in an azure sky, 
Shining unbroken. 



Star hke the heart of man, 
Woman's defender; 

First in the battle's van 
Scorning surrender. 



When on the tented field 

Patriots muster. 
Full on the hero's shield 

Glitters my lustre. 
6i 



62 THE LONE STAR OF TEXAS. 

Still in the herder's shed 
Told is the story 

How I my children led 
Onward to glory. 

Born in a bitter hour, 
Offspring of sorrow; 

Mighty the tyrant's power, 
Gloomy the morrow. 

Frail then and weak my light, 
Hardly a shimmer; 

Few to defend the right, 
Hope daily dimmer. 

Yet when the tyrant fast 
Fettered would bind me. 

Proudly I rose and cast 
Bondage behind me; 



THE LONE STAR OF TEXAS. 63 

Cried to my sisters all, 

Liberty's daughters, 
Straightway they heard my call, 

Sped o'er the waters; 



Swift in my hour of need 

Hasting to aid me 
Came, when a bastard breed 

Would have betrayed me. 

Firm at my side they stood, 

Striking together; 
Blood of the bond of blood 

Tightened the tether. 

Life that for others' sake 

Freely is given 
Link of the soul doth make 

Hard to be riven: 



64 THE LONE STAR OF TEXAS. 

Death, from the clasping hand 

Not to be parted, 
Knits with a sacred band 

All the true-hearted. 



Foiled see the foe depart, 
Tyrant and craven; 

Fear on the felon's heart 
Deeply was graven. 



Shone then my glory bright. 

Brilliantly blazing; 
Five-pointed star of light, 

Despots amazing. 



Earth saw me spurning thrall. 
Nations approved me; 

Chiefest and best of all, 
Liberty loved me. 



THE LONE STAR OF TEXAS. 65 

Fierce though my youth and wild, 

Men could not mould me; 
Yet was I Freedom's child, 

Chains could not hold me. 



Scoffing at human law, 
Counsel misprizing, 

Scarce holding God in awe. 
Discord devising. 

Earning an evil name. 
Obloquy's byword; 

Reckless and hard to tame. 
Wanton and wayward. 

Yet, when the trial's hour 
Came for the nation. 

Fitly I proved my power, 
Made my oblation: 



66 THE LONE STAR OF TEXAS. 

Gave of my noblest sons, 
Greatly deserving; 

Up to the belching guns 
Marching unswerving: 

Winning in lands afar, 
Foemen defying, 

Fame for the Lonely Star, 
Honour undying. 

Saddest of strife was then 
Brother with brother; 

Warfare of kindred men. 
Sons of one mother. 



Fain had I held aloof. 

Issue divining; 
Yet in the day of proof 

Clear was my shining: 



THE LONE STAR OF TEXAS. 67 

Over the plains of war, 

Smoking and gory, 
Glittered the Lonely Star, 

Pointing to glory. 

Rage now and passion past, 

Bloodshed forgiven. 
Calmly my light at last 

Shines in high heaven. 



Shines on the yellow sands. 
Gleams on the river; 

Shines on the fertile lands, 
Gift of the Giver: 



Shines for a promise true 
Standing for ever; 

Never from field of blue 
Shall that Star sever. 



68 THE LONE STAR OF TEXAS. 

Star of the State am I, 

Liberty's token; 
Gold, in an azure sky 

Shining unbroken. 



AT THE MEET. 



Good morning, the weather Is fine, 
And pray don't forget you're to dine 
At the Manor to-night, for my father is quite 
Determined to drown you in wine. 

You know, 
Determined to drown you in wine. 



Yes, the sorrel's the better to stay: 
O, I wish I could hear " Gone away! ' 
For this fidgetty filly is really so silly, 

Keeps wanting to have her own way. 

You know, 
Keeps wanting to have her own way. 
69 



70 AT THE MEET. 

O, really, you shouldn't say that! 
Do look at the man in the hat; 
The queerest of creatures, it's just Hke a preacher's, 
And a shockingly bad one at that. 

You know, 
A shockingly bad one at that. 

Too bad of you — quite in the dark ; 
And of course it was merely a lark; 
But really, poor fellow, he looks with that yellow 
Rose fit for a ride in the Park, 

You know. 
Quite fit for a ride in the Park. 



Who's that? why, it's Reggie Malone! 
How enormously slender he's grown! 
I know he's a nailer, but hard on his tailor. 
For he's close upon seventeen stone, 

You know, 
Very close upon seventeen stone. 



AT THE MEET. 71 

O, look, there's the darling old squire, 
I call him the pride of the shire; 
Can't be true that he drinks — though I fancy he thinks 
That foxes are only for hire, 

You know, 
That foxes are only for hire. 

O, no, I don't mean he's insane; 
But only so sweetly humane; 
And he fancies — keep still! — that if we don't kill, 
The fox can be hunted again, 

You know. 
The fox can be hunted again. 

O, really, how funny you are! 
And I used to be told by papa 
You cared nothing for joking and always were smoking 
A horrid Havana cigar, 

You know. 
Tremendous Havana cigar. 



72 AT THE MEET. 

O, surely, don't let me detain 
You one moment — it's only my rein; 
The frolicsome creature, I never can teach her 
To leave off that trick with her mane, 

You know, 
That troublesome trick with her mane. 



O, dear, what a look in his eye; 
How coldly he bade me good-by; 
It's more than provoking, I only was joking. 
And now I am ready to cry, 

I know, 
I feel I am going to cry. 

How lucky I put on a veil; 
I've a cold — did you think I looked pale? 
So sweet of you, dearest — yes, surely the queerest 
Old fellow, and slow as a snail. 

You know, 
Poor fellow, as slow as a snail. 



AT THE MEET. 73 

O, dear, he's not going to come back! 
There he is reining up by tlie hack 
Of that horrible creature, who hasn't a feature 
That's decent and sits Hke a sack, 

You know, 
She really does sit like a sack. 

O, how I should like to go home! 
Yes, my filly gets covered with foam 
Very quickly from fretting; I fear she is getting 
Quite tired of this sticky old loam, 

You know. 
So tired of this sticky old loam. 

To think I should be such a fool ! 
He was always so quiet and cool; 
Stand steady, young filly! — I'm really as silly 
As if I were just out of school, 

You know. 
As if I were just out of school. 



74 AT THE MEET. 

It is true that I said he was slow; 
But I never did mean it, and — O, 
I'm really too stupid — I wish that Dan Cupid 
Would lend me his arrow and bow, 

You know. 
Would lend me his arrow and bow. 

I think he's got hold of her rein: 
But I daren't look that way again; 
Good morning — he's chaffing — no, thank you — and 
laughing — 
O, God, it will drive me insane! 

I know, 
I know it will drive me insane. 



At last! There's a cry in the gorse! 
That's Whimperer — steady, sweet horse; 
Ah, me! they are finding! What, tears? O, they're 
blinding 
Me, yet I must gallop perforce, 



AT THE MEET. 75 



You know, 
O, yes, I must gallop perforce. 



Go, follow the fools in their track; 
Fool yourself, wretched creature, alack! 
O, it's you? pray don't trouble — with a snaffle? yes, 
double — 
O, I thought you would never come back, 

You know, 
I thought you would never come back. 



Yes. . . . Yes. ... O, please don't! Gone 

away? 
O, we'll all get some hunting to-day! 
Look, look where he's stealing ofif yonder, — I'm 
feeling 
As happy as flowers in May, 

You know. 
As happy as flowers in May. 



76 AT THE MEET, 

What, a lead? O, dear, no, did you think 
I should funk any fences, or shrink 
And show the white feather? We'll take them to- 
gether, 
Nor swerve at the cliff's very brink. 

With you, 
I'd leap at the grave's very brink. 



O sweetheart, I'm glad that I came! 
But you mustn't do that all the same: 
Now, filly! we're over! My hero, my lover, 
My darling, my heart is a flame, 

Do you know? 
My heart, ah, my heart is a flame! 

Tally-ho! 



EPODE. 



Come, for the trembling moon 

Is waiting for words of love: 
Come, for the night has strewn 

Her ghttering robe above: 
With a shuddering beat of his saffron wing 

The twilight hour has passed: 
The night-jar sobbed at his vanishing, 

O, come, my love, at last. 



The masterful day is slain. 

Slain by Selene's dart; 
The west ran red with the stain 

Of blood from his crimson heart. 
77 



78 EPODE. 

He fell at the edge of the cypress wood, 

Sacred to pure Bendis; 
And over the place the virgin stood, 

Delian Artemis. 

Daintily, stepping soft, 

Poising the crystal sphere. 
Queen of the night came forth 

To bathe in the heavenly mere. 
She slipped from the edge of the white cloud-wreath, 

Fleeced like the snow-bird's nest; 
The stars grew pale and withheld their breath 

At the sight of her virgin breast. 

The white cloud-pack doth go 

Before her face on high; 
It gleams like a phantom floe, 

A glacier of the sky. 
The black night shows in chequered rifts 

Between the icy mass: 
The moon behind them slowly drifts 

Across the dark crevasse. 



EFODE, 79 

The virgin queen doth hold 

Tribunal in the sky; 
Stars have been overbold 

And punishment is nigh. 
Three mighty planets her defend, 

Uranus, Venus, Mars; 
Behind the cloud-barred grating penned. 

Shiver the guilty stars. 

Then come, while the black-winged night 

Is sweeping across the sky; 
Come, ere the archer smite. 

Come, ere the rapture die. 
The faint sweet tale of the amorous gale 

Is passing from tree to tree; 
'Tis love's own hour — to the lover's bower. 

O, come, my love, with me! 



DEAR LITTLE FRIEND. 



Dear little friend, across the parting years 
I see thee standing, while imperious tears 
Rose in thine eyes, and, passed beyond recall, 
Welled with thy troubled bosom's rise and fall; 
I see thee yet, the trembling hand that pressed 
In quick confusion on the beating breast; 
The quivering mouth that from an aching heart 
Bore the despairing message — '' We must part! " 
Dear little friend. 



Dear little friend, I see the flushing cheek 
That limned the tenderness thou wouldst not speak; 
I see that noble struggle to conceal 
The feeling which the heart would fain reveal; 
80 



DEAR LITTLE FRIEND. 8l 

I see the hands that, clasped in swift embrace, 
Screened for a moment half thy glowing face; 
I see the arms once emptied of their joys, 
Flung forth abandoned to a reckless poise, 
Dear little friend. 

Dear little friend, I see the look that told 
The secret which 'twere folly to unfold; 
I read the thoughts that strove for utterance; 
I see the tender, timid, pleading glance; 
I see the lips that whispered, '' Go away; " 
I see the eyes that mutely bade me stay; 
I see the gaze, defenceless, yearning, fond; 
I see, alas! the fearsome gulf beyond — 
Dear little friend. 

Dear little friend, I know the tender tone 

That rises artlessly for one alone; 

I know the passion that illumes the eyes. 

The voice that says, " How foolish to be wise ; " 

6 



82 DEAR LITTLE FRIEND, 

I know the fearful struggle to be true; 
I know the thoughts that tear the heart in two; 
I know the yielding moment, past recall; 
I know the hour — ah me, I know it all, 
Dear little friend. 

Dear little friend, so loving and so leal, 
I bow before thy purity's appeal; 
Devotion absolute, unquestioning, 
Robs love of passion, passion of its sting. 
I feel the love we trembled to confess 
Was sent in mercy, not to harm, but bless; 
That love, dear heart, if we can keep it pure, 
Age cannot ravish, ever shall endure, 
Dear little friend. 

Dear little friend, that throb of self-disdain 
That follows on assuaged passion's pain 
We do not know; our friendship still shall be 
Right in its blazon, quartered loyally. 



DEAR LITTLE FRIEND. 83 

Never to us shall passionate consent 
Teach in sad bitterness the word " Repent! " 
Our lives are sundered, incomplete, but yet 
Ours is a love unmingled with regret. 
Dear little friend. 



TO THE PECOS VALLEY. 



Truly the sun this place 

Loves with a changeless love 

Blessed by his unveiled face 
Favoured the rest above. 



Heat benignant and light 
Bounteous pouring down; 

Shafts from his quiver bright, 
Gleams from his jewelled crown. 



Witching with peerless grace, 
Wooing with matchless art; 

Prince of immortal race 
Winning the valley's heart. 
84 



TO THE PECOS VALLEY. 85 

Humbly the vale of peace 

Love of her lord receives: 
Yields with a swift increase 

Burden of autumn sheaves. 



Jubilant, calls to man 

Gifts of the God to share; 

Pleasures Arcadian 

Surely await him there. 

See, where the creek and branch 
Traverse the fertile land, 

Hamlet, steading, and ranch 
Witness his eager hand. 

Forth at the master's call 
Issues the life of earth — 

Water, the lord of all, 

Victor of drought and dearth. 



86 TO THE PECOS VALLEY. 

Aqueduct, weir and sluice, 
Conduit and dam appear, 

Shaping to human use 
Currents of water clear. 



Checking with massy pier 
Force that unbridled might 

Labour of many a year 
Waste in a single night. 

Rivulet, runnel, and rill 
Follow the gviiding hand, 

Channel and stream fulfil 
Patiently man's command. 

Moving with tranquil tread, 
Slipping with silent stream. 

Life to the seeming dead 
Bringing with silver gleam. 



TO THE PECOS VALLEY. 87 

Lo, how the god's embrace 

Quickens the prairie's breast! 
SmiHng she hfts her face, 

Servant of his behest. 



Gold of her daughter fair, 
Tassel and nodding plume, 

Gives, and the wafting air 

Fills with the flower's perfume. 

Garden, orchard, and wood. 
Tilth on the prairie spread; 

Taming its wilder mood. 
Guiding its wayward tread. 

Soft from the bush is heard 

Musical call of dove; 
Carol of mocking-bird 

Rings through the poplar grove. 



88 TO THE PECOS VALLEY. 

Swift through the standing corn 
Scurries the startled quail: 

Hark, how the gray owl's horn 
Biddeth the evening hail! 

Slowly the sun descends, 
Veiling his glorious beam; 

Sweetly the moonlight lends 
Glamour to bush and stream. 



Sun and Water and Earth, 
Earth and Water and Sun, 

This have ye brought to birth. 
Magical three in one ! 



SWEET EMMA MORELAND. 



Sweet Emma Moreland, if indeed 
A word of mine can reach thee still, 

Dost thou recall the vow I made 
The day we parted by the hill? 



Dost thou remember how I swore, 
The day we met on yonder way, 

" Sweet Emma Moreland, love no more 
Can touch the heart of Edward Gray "? 



Ah, who can tell what things he saith 
By bitter grief and woe unmanned? 

Those solemn words in perfect faith 
I spoke, but did not understand. 
89 



go SWEET EMMA MORELAND. 

For I was little but a lad, 

A lad who thought the world his own, 
I deemed the present all I had, 

But now I prize the past alone. 



My life was hardly then begun. 
The future held me in its sway. 

Since then, sweet Emma, more than one 
Has touched the heart of Edward Gray. 

Man's heart is like a flowing stream. 
Beside whose banks the virgins play; 

Beware, sweet maid, nor venture in, 
'Twill surely bear thy peace away. 

Man's heart is like a glowing fire. 
Before whose blaze the virgins lie; 

Beware, sweet maid, that cheering flame 
Will slay thee if thou come too nigh. 



SWEET EMMA MORE LAND. 91 

Man's heart is like the gleaming ice 
Upon whose face the virgins skim ; 

Beware, sweet maid, 'twill surely break! 
God help thee if thou canst not swim! 



Man's heart is like the golden pall 
That cloaks — but, similes, avaunt! 

Sweet Emma Moreland, after all, 

Man's heart is what the virgins want. 



Ah, gentle lady, though I wrong 

Thy sweet complaisance by my line, 

If meant in earnest is my song, 
Or jest, thou only canst divine. 



THE EXILE'S MESSAGE. 

June 22, 1897. 

A voice across a waste of land, 

A cry across the sea, 
From one who still, dear country, stands 

Most loyally by thee: 
A heart that beats for England, 

A soul that feels the sod 
Of that dear island still hath been 

Most cherished of God: 

England, England, hear that voice, 
England, attend that cry; 

1 bid thee from my heart. Rejoice! 
And, mightier yet than I, 

My soul cries out for England, 

Let nothing come between 
Our love for thee, dear country, 

Our love for thee, dear Queen. 
92 



THE EXILE'S MESSAGE, 



93 



Then, England, hear my message, 

Read thou my words aright — 
My Maker, guide my stuttering Hps 

And fill my voice with might — 
Be still my cry to England, 

As it hath ever been, 
Ours is the land, by thee we standi 

And England, England^ England^ love the Queen. 

Ah me, thy people suffered long 

Then, when the meanest thing 
That England, wretched England, owned 

Was named when named a king. 
Then princes were but tyrants, 

A king was but a knave. 
From knavish royal tyranny 

Sole refuge was the grave. 
Was laid upon thy humbler sons, 

O England, in that hour. 
The infamy of poverty. 

The infamy of power. 



94 THE EXILE'S MESSAGE. 

Then blue blood stood for nobleness, 

And lowly birth disgrace, 
Then haughty baron bravely slashed 

His servant in the face. 
Now, England, hear my message: 

By that time's memory, 
By every drop of English blood 

That fell through tyranny, 
Be this my cry to England 

As it hath ever been, 
Ours is the land, by thee we stand, 

And England^ England, England, love the Queen. 

Look out upon the nations: 

Say, Briton, on this earth 
Is there a land like English land, 

The country of thy birth? 
Is there another country 

Where every man is free, 
A land that truly can be called 

The land of liberty? 



THE EXILE'S MESSAGE. 

Then, Briton, by thy birthright, 

As thou dost fear thy God, 
I charge thee stand by our dear land, 

By our beloved sod. 
I charge thee love thy country well, 

And with a love as keen 
As that thou bearest to thy land, 

I charge thee love the Queen. 

Her heart has beat for England; 

In England's joy and woe 
England's dear Queen hath ever been 

Partaker hitherto. 
Still thus, God knows, it shall be, 

Still shall that Woman's heart 
Until its pulses stir no more 

Right nobly do its part. 
God save the Queen of England! 

God bless her too, we pray: 
God save and bless abundantly 

Our precious Queen this day: 



95 



96 THE EXILE'S MESSAGE, 

Victoria! Victoria! 

O England, shout again! 
Let every nation hear thy cry 

And echo back again 
That loyal shout of England, 

And be it nobly seen 
That English hearts are everywhere 

And nothing stands between 
Our love for dear old England, 

Our love for England's Queen. 



Three thousand miles of water, 

Two thousand miles of land 
Are stretched between me and the place 

Where I would love to stand. 
I cannot touch thee, England, 

I cannot grasp the hand 
Of that dear faithful English friend 

I left on England's strand. 



THE EXILE'S MESSAGE. 97 

But let me reach thee, England, 

With all my spirit's voice; 
O, let it be a voice of power 

To bid thy sons rejoice. 
From end to end let England 

Reecho loud my cry, 
And England's maids and England's men 

One-souled, one-voiced, reply: 
" We hear thy cry^ poor exile ^ 

We hearken to thy voice ; 
Across that waste of sea and land- 
Rings clear thy zvord, Rejoice ! 
We do rejoice for England ; 

Our cry this day hath been 
Ours is the land^ by thee we stand, 

And England, England, England, loves the 
Queen,'' 



VICTORIA. 

June 22, 1897. 

This is a day of praise, 

Of prayer and humble thanksgiving to God, 
Who throughout many days 

Upholding her whose feet have ever trod 
In ways of righteousness, 

Doth still preserve the guardian of the sod 
That Enghsh people bless. 

This is a day of jubilation; sent 

From each and every part 
Of England's realm, her delegates present 

The homage of the heart; 
The mighty heart of that great English race. 

Where freedom had its birth, 
To her who rightly holds the highest place 

Among the lords of earth. 
98 



VICTORIA, 99 

This is a day of pageantry. In state 

From royal palace hall 
Pass on through lines of citizens elate 

To thy grey dome, Saint Paul, 
The noblest retinue that earth can give, 

The noblest queen of men, 
Cheered by the nation's noblest cry: " Long live 

Victoria!" Amen. 

Praise, prayer, and loyal jubilation, all 

This pomp of pageantry, 
Striking the chord of memory, recall 

Another day gone by. 
These shouts of joy, these cries of fealty, 

The nation's loyal tune 
Bring back to our unswerving lealty 

Another morn in June. 
These scenes majestic to the memory tell 

A yet more solemn scene, 
When on her knees before her Maker fell 

A slender, girlish queen, 



loo VICTORIA. 

And vowed to rule in righteousness and love, 

In justice and in truth, 
Imploring humbly counsel from above, 

God's guidance for her youth. 

Queen of the English folk! Dost thou recall 

Thy life's momentous hour, 
When thou receivedst 'neath a golden pall 

The emblems of thy power? 
His uncrowned queen Saint Peter's abbot faced, 

And on the burnished coil 
Of thy fair head and slender fingers traced 

With consecrated oil 
The Holy Rood by Christians adored 

From the ampulla's brim. 
In sign thou wast thy people's sovran lord. 

But servant still of Him 
Whose Cross was laid upon thy head and hands 

Before thou tookst the crown. 
To join thee to Him with eternal bands 

And mark thee for His own. 



VICTORIA. ic 

In sign thou shouldst thy people rule in love, 

In peace and amity, 
Was given thee the sceptre with the Dove, 

The Rod of Equity. 
In sign thou shouldst the law of Christ fulfil, 

Count earthly gain as loss. 
Thy royal sceptre, Empress Queen, is still 

The sceptre with the Cross. 

Before the blessed Edward's circlet pressed 

Upon thy youthful brow, 
That diadem the Church's prelate blessed, 

In sign that even thou 
Wast bound as queen to keep in loyalty 

The solemn word which saith 
The Sovereigns of England's realm must be 

Defenders of the Faith. 

Recall, great Queen, the promise given there. 

Thy Coronation Oath; 
The words with which thou solemnly didst swear 

To keep thy royal troth; 



I02 VICTORIA. 

" I will protect the Church, the Laws maintain, 

Resolved evermore 
In Justice, Mercy, and in Love to reign: 

The things I here before 
Did promise, I will now perform and keep. 

So help me God." That vow 
Was heard by One whose eye doth never sleep. 

And watcheth o'er thee now. 

Victoria Regina, thou hast been 

Just steward of thy folk; 
Thy people during sixty years have seen 

Thee fitly bear the yoke 
Thou didst that day consent to undertake 

As servant of thy Lord, 
When thou didst promise never to forsake 

Thy people or thy word. 

Queen of the English heart! Thy glorious reign 

Is drawing near its close; 
Thy life of mingled happiness and pain, 

Of chequered joys and woes. 



VICTORIA. 103 

Mankind's allotted years has more than spanned, 

And soon must thou, alone, 
Unaided, unattended, humbly stand 

Before the great white throne. 
At that dread audit of thy life and reign. 

Thy stewardship's accompt 
Is passed before the One who maketh plain 

All things, and answer prompt 
Awards, to man's eternal loss or gain. 

This is no day, no hour 
For fulsome adulation; we appeal 

To that Almighty Power, 
The Judge before whom all mankind reveal 

The secrets of the heart; 
From Whom is nothing hid, Who surely knows 

Our being's every part. 
Naught in His sight are all our earthly shows. 

Our times are in His hand. 
Him we entreat to make His judgment clear. 

When thou, great queen, shalt stand 
Before that seat, thy people shall be near. 



I04 VICTORIA. 

Petitioning for thee; 
Awaiting calmly, free from doubt or fear. 

The answer yet to be. 
As surely thou hast kept thy maiden vow, 

Hast kept thy royal word, 
So surely shalt thou hear with tranquil brow 

The judgment of the Lord: 
" Well done, thou faithful servant, enter thou 

Into thy life's reward." 



HEART OF THE SEA. 



On that torn peak where tempests gather 
And whip to gale the western breeze, 

Where winds in wildness lash to lather 
And foam the scum of the wintry seas : 



By that sheer cliff where ever madder 
And madder dance the eddies urge, 

While the seaweed writhes like a burnished adder 
Caught in the grip of the ravening surge. 



I clung handfast to a crevice streaming 
With lifted spray from the swirling flood, 

While over the cleft the sea-gulls screaming 
Swept back and forth on their quest of food. 
105 



io6 HEART OF THE SEA. 

Appalled I gazed, and my spirit's gladness 
Was utterly wasted and turned to naught ; 

For the friend I had loved lay in tossing madness, 
Racked to and fro like a thing distraught. 

And I cried aloud : '' Can this wild commotion 
Of battering billows and wrangling waves 

Come from the heart of the gentle ocean 

That kisses the mouths of the sea-nymphs' caves? 

Is this the sea that the lightest feather 

Undrenched could bear on its buoyant brine, 

While the glittering sunbeam's golden tether 
Linked wave and sky in a yoke divine? 

Is this the sea of my life's reliance, 

The sea that cradled my infant sleep. 
This wild grey waste that in mad defiance 

Is hoarsely caUing from deep to deep? 



HEART OF THE SEA. 107 

Sea, I have slept while thy tuneful treble, 
Of lullabies sweetest, hath charmed my ear. 

And the song of the wave to the rolling pebble 
Was ever the song that I loved to hear. 

Thou wast to me like a boy's defender, 
A wooer of maids and a man's delight. 

None spoke with a voice so sweet, so tender. 
None looked on me with a smile so bright. 

But now thou art changed, and my faith is shaken, 
Thou hast robbed me, Sea, of my spirit's rest, 

I trusted in thee, and thou hast taken 
From me the treasure I loved the best. 



Thou hast played me false, and my heart is broken; 

Thou hast played me false, and thou dost not care; 
Ah, how can ever a word be spoken 

To match the grief thou hast made me bear? 



io8 HEART OF THE SEA. 

I know thee now for a cruel preacher 
Of creed inhuman with careless scoff; 

More vile art thou than the meanest creature 
That crawls in the slime of thy hollow trough. 

I hate thee, Sea, with an unforgiving, 
Defiant hate; thou, of hell's decree 

Consenting organ, hast made my living 

More chill than death; lo, I curse thee, Sea! " 

With frantic gesture defiance hurling, 

In vain rebellion at mastery, 
I flung my curse at the billow's curling 

Crest as it carelessly passed me by. 

Ah, fool, to think that the god immortal 
Who orders ocean and sways the sea. 

Can reck one whit that a gloomy portal 
Has closed betwixt thy love and thee. 



HEART OF THE SEA. 109 

Ah, fool, to think that the bitter trouble 
That darkens daylight and maddens dreams, 

Weighs more with him than the lightest bubble 
That on his breast for an instant gleams 



And then is gone ; can the piteous wailing 
Of childless parent and orphan child 

Seem aught to a god but the senseless raiHng 
Of dolts that will not be reconciled? 



Away, fond wretch, for thy blatant shouting 
Is food for jest to the deathless one 

Who sits enthroned on the billows, flouting 
Thy grief and thee, — poor fool, begone! 



I turned away from the wild confusion 

Of upthrown billows and downdrawn skies, 

And bitterly mocked at the fond delusion 
That a god with a mortal could sympathize. 



no HEART OF THE SEA. 

I turned — that sound ! Was I mad, or waking 

To clearer vision and saner life? 
I seemed to hear from the waters breaking 

A voice that called me to peace from strife. 

Amid the roar of the tempest shrieking, 

The rolhng thunder and levin flame, 
A quiet voice to me was speaking 

Softly, and calling upon my name. 

In the seething heart of the swirling waters, 

Where the galling spray makes the eyesight dim, 

Where the driving spume never stops or falters 
In whirling race round the eddy's rim, 

A smooth space lay like a face that glistened 
With tears — strange sight in that medley wild! 

The weary years, as I stooped and listened, 
Slipped back, and I felt like a little child. 



HEART OF THE SEA. ill 

That sound! 'Twas naught but the faintest whisper, 
More heard than spoken, that stirred my soul; 

Yet all-pervading, and clearer, crisper 
Than howling tempest or thunder's roll. 

That sound! It came from no hoary Triton 
Or shell-throned goddess of sea-foam birth; 

The voice was the voice of the lord Poseidon, 
The god that girdles and shakes the earth. 

I bowed, I fell, and the insurrection 

My soul had compassed was swept away; 

At the voice of the god my heart's defection 
Passed as the mist from the sun-god's ray. 



" Child," I heard, and the water's riot 

Was still, and soundless the shattered waves; 

Crept over my soul an awesome quiet 

Like the hush that lies on the place of graves. 



112 HEART OF THE SEA, 

The spray hung poised on the breaking billow, 
And fixed in falling the comber heard 

That voice of power, like a drawn-lace pillow 
The foam lay still at Poseidon's word. 

" Child of man " — and I heard the calling 
Of Nymph and Triton in grot and cave; 

The earth's dim scales from my eyes were falling 
And I saw with the vision that poets crave. 



" Child beloved " — and my grief was over; 

My heart leapt up and cried: " Rejoice! " 
Thrilled was my soul as the passionate lover 

Thrills to the sound of his mistress' voice. 



" Son of my heart, I have loved thee ever; 

Dear to me was thy trustful youth; 
Dost think that a passionate word can sever 

A bond that is fixed in eternal truth? 



HEART OF THE SEA. 113 

Nay, not unheard was thy wild complaining, 

Yet scarce availeth a mortal's cry 
To alter the currents of Fate's ordaining 

Or fashion the course of the gods on high. 

Thine is the past, for the past is over; 

What in its bosom the future holds 
The great gods know but do not discover 

Till time in season the end unfolds. 



Mistake not me for a cruel scoffer, 
Or tyrant smiting with careless face; 

The gods above do not deign to offer 
Their hearts to the gaze of a ribald race 



Of mortals vaunting themselves and deeming 
That naught from their vision is hid — O, blind 

And fools, who scan but the outward seeming 
Nor dream of the heavenly shape behind. 



114 HEART OF THE SEA. 

Then think not thou that this wild commotion 

Of waters under and winds above 
Conies from the heart of the gentle ocean, 

The god that cherisheth mortals' love. 

Above, the winds and waves are jarring 
In ceaseless turmoil and cureless strife; 

Below, no earth-born sound is marring 
The peaceful rest of eternal life. 

I have stretched my seas for a shrouding ceiling 

Above my palace; a glassy floor 
It seems to mortals, to them revealing 

Somewhat, but from them concealing more. 



While over that floor the tempest rages. 
And wind with wind in fury vies. 

Unstirred below through the countless ages 
The great grey soul of ocean lies. 



HEART OF THE SEA. 115 

There quiet reigns — for the struggle frantic 
Of blast and billow, of bond and free, 

Moves not at all that breast gigantic 
Nor stirs the soul of the hoary sea. 

There Time no season knows, no number. 

For twilight soft and immortal balm 
Soothe the soul to a dreamless slumber, 

Steeped evermore in a quenchless calm. 

There the heart of the Sea is beating 

Soft and low, like a cradling song, 
There I await my beloved with greeting 

Gentle and bear in my arms along 



Safe to the peace that knows no breaking. 
Safe to the rest from toil and care, 

Weary souls to the sleep unwaking. 
Sleep that mortals can never share. 



Ii6 HEART OF THE SEA. 

Those whom I love to my heart I gather, 

Gift of a god is unending rest; 
Child, thou art mine — to thy heart's true father 

Come, and be clasped to his loving breast." 

The low voice ceased, but the silence lasted; 

That smooth still space like a face serene 
Smiled in a wondrous calm contrasted 

With surge and breaker that raged between. 

Smiled and waved — and my heart was bounding 
With love that would not be kept apart; 

Down, far down beyond human sounding 
I dropped to sleep on the sea-god's heart. 



I CALLED TO LOVE. 

I called to Love, and as I called he came, 
Black-eyed and bold and naked; and in shame 
I hid my face and trembled, but the boy 
Leapt at my breast and whispered, '* Joy of joy 
I bring thee, sweet one, and divine delight; 
Undo thy bosom's latchet, neophyte, 
i\.nd let me in." Therewith about my knees 
He clung and clamoured softly, as the breeze 
That murmurs to the trailing tamarinds. 
His beating wings made soft and fitful winds 
That carried odours to me, and I felt 
My senses waver and about my belt 
His fingers busy, yet, it seemed, in play; 
A laugh of conquest echoed. No dismay 
Arose to mar my longing. I put out 
A trembling hand towards him, not in doubt, 
117 



8 / CALLED TO LOVE. 

But seeking his; my sensing fingers met — 

For still my eyes were closed — a bosom wet 

As my own quivering palm, and felt the beat 

Of lifeblood at his heart. " O Paraclete! " 

I cried and turned to flee. '' Who flees is lost! " 

A voice replied. The saucy urchin tossed 

My languid arms away and bared my heart. 

" As thou hast called me, bid me now depart! " 

He cried, and laughed again. The silence held 

Until he broke it. '' Is there one can weld 

A mail with power to turn my point divine? 

The bittersweet of life is this, is thine! " 

Once more he laughed, and touched the echoing 

string; 
I heard the arrows in his quiver ring 
And knew him aiming — yet my eyes were bound 
And fast my lips. Then with a rustling sound 
Of folding pinions, came a voice that said : 
"Sister, beware; is thy discernment dead? 
Look, look, or thou art lost! " A sudden fear 
Of what I knew not seized me, and a tear 



/ CALLED TO LOVE. iig 

Forced its way upward from the virgin well 
Of maidenhood unsullied: as it fell 
The philtre lost its virtue and my soul 
Sprang to my eyes and broke their lids' control, 
And I beheld and cried: " I am beguiled! 
Thou art not Love, thou art but Fancy's child! " 
Thereat the phantom vanished, and I went 
Along the path in thankless discontent. 

I called to Love, and as I called he came. 
But never paused or greeted; on his game 
Was all his mind, yet this same heedlessness 
So well became his jocund fearlessness 
I longed the more; a comely shape that glowed 
With youthful vigour; smiling he bestrode 
A fallen woodland terror, from its side 
Plucking the ashen spear that entry wide 
Had made therein ; the blood that spirted high 
Bedaubed his knee and stained his ivory thigh. 
But all unnoted, as he turned his head 
And hearkened to the forest-voices. Dread 



!0 / CALLED TO LOVE. 

Of that wild place was on me and I cried: 

" Sweet youth and master, do not thou deride 

My cowardice, or mock thy servant's moan: 

Great fear have I of journeying alone." 

At that he turned — how fair his face to see ! 

It filled my heart with rapture — " What to me," 

He answered, *' is thy plight? Go seek the 

path ; 
Tempt me no longer, lest a dryad's wrath 
Undo us both. . . . 

I hitherto have spilt 
No blood but beasts'; if henceforth there be guilt, 
'Tis not on me. I yet am innocent 
Of other .... 

Surely I am cast, and shent 
In either hap. So, follow where I lead." 
With that he turned and sped across the mead 
And leapt within the forest. Where he led 
I followed, though the sere acacias shed 
Their spikes to gash my feet; at my spent blood 
I sickened as I ran; throughout the wood 



/ CALLED TO LOVE. I2i 

I stumbled weeping, yet I lost him not, 

For still the white limbs gleamed ; my heart was 

hot, 
And tumult in my bosom; where the glade 
Divides the forest, there he turned and stayed. 
He seemed the lovelier for the threatening spear 
That carried death. I dared to venture near 
Forspent and bleeding, while the longing grew 
To clasp him closely once and then imbue 
The spear-blade with my heart's blood. At his scorn 
I clean forgot the torture of the thorn, 
And passed the spear and sought to clasp his hand. 
Crying, " O love, I hardly understand 
Thy cruelty, yet as thou wilt, so do, 
For I am thine." At that he roughly threw 
My hand away, replying with a sneer, 
" What then am I? " and poised anew the spear. 
" My love, dear heart, and thou art truly mine." 
" Thy love? " he cried: "Go! I am none of thine; 
A goddess woos me." At that word I knew 
The one he was. " Ah, hunter, is it true? 



2 / CALLED TO LOVE. 

I know thee now; betrayed am I for sure! 
Thou art not Love, but Venus' paramour." 
Thereon he would have slain me, but I slipped 
Beside him in a new-found strength, and gripped 
The ashen spear-shaft; in my hand it snapped 
And left him weaponless. He stood entrapped 
And gnashed at me; I saw his beauty pass 
Swift as the image from the shattered glass; 
His ivory skin was leprous. With a cry 
I cast the spear-head at the cankered thigh 
And fled the place, nor slackened till the night 
Received and hid me from my fellows' sight. 

I called to Love, and as I called he came. 
New, yet familiar; was he not the same 
That I had dreamt of? In his daring eyes 
I saw my longings mirrored; former ties 
Were broken at his touch; he seemed to tread 
On some supernal ether, and to shed 
Celestial fragrance on me; celandine 
Was not more golden than his curls divine. 



/ CALLED TO LOVE. 123 

His smile elysian— how it shook my soul! 

" Ah, wrong me not! " I cried, " thou art the goal 

Of my desire— O, love empyrean, hail! 

Behold thy handmaid! " Passion left me pale 

And sightless, but I feU him drawing near; 

The balmy air grew warmer. '' Be of cheer," 

He whispered, " for I bring thee thy desire." 

So, lightly touched my heart. Devouring fire 

Flamed up within my breast— his fingers burned. 

I shrieked and started back, yet inly yearned 

To clasp those scorching fingers, while he raised 

My trembling body upward, till I gazed 

Upon his glowing eyes. A palsy shook 

My limbs, and at the summons of his look 

I rendered up myself. " O, take me, love, 

Ideal, yet incarnate; quickly prove 

Thy deity; conception most divine. 

Am I not thine?" He answered: "Thou art 

mine." 
At that I swooned within his arms and seemed 
To let the years pass heedless, while I dreamed 



124 / CALLED TO LOVE. 

Seraphic visions; trances of delight 

Upheld me through an oriental night 

Of mirth and song and music, till I heard 

A note, discordant, sharp, that swiftly stirred 

My slumbered senses, and the glamour fled. 

My eyes were opened and delight was dead. 

The dream once ended, misery and ruth 

Became my portion when I knew the truth. 

I looked upon my seraph; he was foul; 

The contact mired me. With a fiendish scowl, 

Reading my thought, he cried: ''Art thou not 

mine? 
Lo, I have sealed thee to myself; my sign 
Is on thy face, my votary thou art; 
I know the inmost secrets of thy heart." 
So saying, would have seized me, but I screamed 
And flung him off. '' Debaucher! I had deemed 
Thee different — I know thee truly now; 
Lost though I am, I can recall my vow. 
To such as thee my soul I never gave; 
Thou art not Love, thou art but Passion's slave! " 



/ CALLED TO LOVE, 12$ 

At that the demon struck me, and I fell 
Backward and hung upon the verge of hell. 

I called to Love, and as I called he came. 

The angel of the furnace; sacred flame 

Lay lambent on his temples; from afar 

I saw him coming like a fiery star 

That bore destruction onward; in his hand 

Blazed the red outline of a glowing brand. 

The fear of death was on me; in the sedge 

That overspreads the ooze at Lethe's edge 

I flung myself face downward, where the grass 

Grows rankest, praying that the god would pass 

And leave me scatheless — was I fit to die? 

" Semele, aid me! Let him not come nigh! " 

O, vain appeal! I felt him drawing near; 

The slim green rushes shrivelled into sere 

And fell in glowing embers. Terror set 

Its bounds to my endurance. " Spare me yet, 

O, master of my heart! " I cried. "Arise," 

He answered, " in my hand thy living lies." 



:26 / CALLED TO LOVE. 

Constraint was on me and I raised my head. 
His look was scorching, yet the terror fled. 
I rose and faced him. Passion and Desire 
Withered and perished in that glowing fire; 
The flesh revolted yet. My heart was chill 
With sudden panic. " Master, wilt thou kill 
Me wholly? " '' Self I slay; yet an thou like 
Thou mayst escape; thou needst not bid me strike. 
Thy choice is free; the angel or the brute; 
Make thy election." Terror kept me mute. 
He raised his hand; I saw the fiery sword 
And knew my soul depending on a word. 
" And must I look my last upon the sun? 
Is there no way but this? " He answered: " None." 
" Alas! I fear that thou wilt kill me quite! " 
"Say, shall I smite?" he cried. I answered: 

"Smite!" 
With that the sword went through me, and I passed 
In one swift agony to Love at last. 



THREE WISHES. 



'' Grant me a boon, but one," 
Cried to his Maker man ; 

" Lo, where the graceless Sun 

Mocks me since Time began. 



" Mocks me from dawn to eve, 
Mocks me anew at morn; 
Challenging me to drive 

Courses from bourne to bourne. 



" Fain would I follow and chase, 
But how can I tether a star? 
And he jeers me with careless face- 
Succour me, Avatar! 

127 



128 THREE WISHES. 

" Give me a courser fleet 

As the whirlwind's sightless horse; 
Give me the grim Afreet 
That hides in the watercourse. 



Give me the spirit pale, 

The dim white nymph that is kissed 
By the fire-god in glowing mail; 

Give me the heart of the mist. 



" Give me the Soul of the Rain, 
Slave let it be of my skill; 
So shall I never again 

Fret, having had my will." 



" Son, thou art asking much," 
Slowly the god replied: 

" Fearest thou not to touch 
Things that are deified? 



THREE WISHES. 129 



" Fitly a thing divine 
Spirit of water is; 
See that in hands of thine 
Perish not sanctities. 



" Yet, that thou mayst not tire, 
Deeming thy striving vain, 
Take thou thy heart's desire. 
Take thou the Soul of the Rain." 



Man, from the watercloud 
Taking the soul, began 

Curbing that spirit proud, 
Forcing to bless and ban. 



Taming that grim Afreet, 
Shackling that giant wild, 

Branding with ruthless heat 
Waterfall's phantom child. 

9 



I30 THREE WISHES. 

Binding with iron bands, 
Searing with furnace gleam, 

Till with obedient hands 

Works at his will the Steam. 



Turbulent heart subdued, 
Bondman became of man; 

Fashioning forces crude, 
Venturing earth to span. 

Daedal, with patient art 

Piercing the mountain's side; 

Over the gorge's heart 

Stepping with giant stride. 



Ever with tireless feet 
Ceaselessly passing forth; 

Flying from East to greet 
West, and the South from North. 



THREE WISHES. 131 



Distancing wind and tide, 
Linking the land and sea; 

Swelling his ruler's pride, 
Winning him royal fee. 

Loudly the master laughed: 
" Now is the race begun; 

Mocker, my handicraft 

Matches thy coursers, sun!" 

Shining Apollo smiled 

Brightly with cloudless brow; 
" Phaethon, self-beguiled. 

Perished, and such art thou. 



Mortal of restless birth, 

Cursed with the Titan's soul, 
Can not to thee the earth 

Proffer sufficing goal? 



132 THREE WISHES. 

" Leave to the gods the sky; 
Not to Olympus come 
Those who its lords defy; 
Scoffers had best be dumb." 



Swiftly the god elate, 

Wrapt in his robe of light, 

Sped to the golden gate, 
Stabled his coursers bright; 

Feasted the starshine through. 
Feasted and slept again; 

Then on the zenith blue 
Guided his coursers twain. 



Laughing and looking back, 
Marking his rival bold 

Urging on glittering track 
Natural force controlled. 



THREE WISHES. 133 

Vainly the panting steam 

Strives with the god to vie; 
Lo, where the vanishing gleam 

Fades in the western sky! 



" Grant me a boon, but one," 

Cried to his Maker man; 
" Lo, where the graceless Sun 

Mocks me since Time began. 

" Mocks me with careless face. 
Jeers from his golden car; 
Sore is thy son's disgrace, 
Succour me. Avatar! 

'* Give me the spirit bright 

That leaps from the thunder's breast. 
Give me the blinding light 

That plays on the mountain's crest. 



134 



THREE WISHES. 

Give me the lightning's flash, 
Soul of the deadly fire 

Born of the welkin's crash; 
Grant me my heart's desire. 

Give me the amber's core, 
Slave let it be of my skill; 

So shall I nevermore 

Fret, having had my will." 

Answered the Titan : " Child, 
Bought at a woful price. 

Bitter art thou and wild. 
Fruit of my sacrifice. 



" Image of crumbling clay, 

Mould that I filled with breath; 
Still art thou led astray, 
Turning from life to death. 



THREE WISHES. 135 

Yet, since I needs must be 

Granter of thy desire, 
Take from the lightning free. 

Mortal, its Soul of Fire." 



Man, from the levin flame 
Taking the soul, began 

Spirit of light to tame. 
Forcing to bless and ban. 



Leading in endless line. 
Winding in potent coil, 

Soul of the spark divine 
Binding to earthly toil. 

Swift, in a moment's space 
Under the startled sea 

Rushing with peerless pace, 
Rival of Mercury. 



136 THREE WISHES. 

Stars, by the mind of man 

Fashioned and brought to light, 

Toiled, to a working plan 
Tethered in ordered might. 

Them their creator elate, 
Mocking the son of Zeus, 

Driveth in yoke sedate, 
Fitteth to daily use. 

Crying with vaunting speech 

'' Listen, my Avatar; 
Now is the time to teach 

Gods what the mortals are. 



" Phoebus Apollo, heed ! 
Fallen art thou and cast 
Earthward, a saner creed 
Vanquisheth thee at last. 



THREE WISHES. -f^-hl 

" Lo, thou art weighed and found 
Wanting in every part; 
Fabric of myth unsound, 
Manifest He thou art. 

" Light is my slave, and speed 
Measureless owns my might; 
Phoebus, of thee no need 
Have I nor of thy light. 

" Stars have I made to work. 
Sun, shall I bow to thee? 
Lord of the light and mirk 
Never henceforth for me ! " 



Graceful Apollo swung 
Lightly his golden rein; 

Glances the sun-god flung 
Earthward of calm disdain. 



138 THREE WISHES. 

" Zeus, thy abiding curse 
Ever on earth prevails; 
After each age a worse 
Follows and foully rails. 

" Scorning the gods above, 

Deeming themselves supreme, 
Slighting my works of love. 
Mocking my kindly beam. 

^' Mythical, men me call; 

Nay, what is myth but the rune 
Of the life that encircleth all. 
Echo of nature's tune? 



" Lo, should I hide my face 

From them and veil my light. 
Soon were this boastful race 
Lost in eternal night. 



THREE WISHES. 139 



" Lo, should I turn my spear 
On them, and bend my bow, 
Titan, thy children dear 
Perish in mortal throe." 



Grant me a boon, but one," 
Cried to his Maker man; 

Lo where the envious Sun 
Mocks me since Time began. 



" Fills me with deadly fear, 

Threatens my works to mar, 
Tossing his glittering spear; 
Succour me. Avatar! 



Give me the pinion light, 
Wing of the bird of Jove: 

Give me the eagle's flight; 
So shall I master prove. 



I40 THREE WISHES. 

*' Give me the power to soar, 
Slave let it be of my skill; 
So shall I nevermore 

Fret, having had my will." 

Weary Prometheus said: 

'' Child, thou canst surely see 

How I am punished 
Daily for sake of thee. 

*' Ever since fire I stole 

Earthward to warm thy heart, 
Sorrow hath been my dole. 
Bondage hath been my part. 



" Fast to the burning rock 

Bound with a chain, my crime 
Was that I dared to mock 
Order of Jove sublime. 



THREE WISHES. 141 



" Eagle through pathless air 
Hither at Zeus' behest 
Cometh to rend and tear 
Daily my bleeding breast. 

" Mortal, if mine the power 
Over the eagle's flight, 
Would I a single hour 

Longer endure my plight? 

" Never can bird of Jove 
Servitor be of thine; 
Never can mortal prove 
Master of flight divine. 



Cease with the gods to vie, 
Child that I brought to birth 

They are the lords of sky, 
Thine are the things of earth. 



142 THREE WISHES. 

" Cease to provoke thy fate, 

Cross not the sun-god's path; 
Marsyas learnt too late 
Peerless Apollo's wrath." 

" Knave, with deceitful heart ! " 
Cried to his Maker man; 

" Using thy guileful art 
Only to balk my plan. 

" Fool that I was to trust 
Thee or revere thy skill; 
Better return to dust, 
Titan, than yield my will. 



Lord of the earth am I, 
Ocean I hold in fee; 

Why should I fear the sky 
More than the purple sea? 



THREE WISHES. I43 



" Mine is the power to make, 
Mine is the povv^er to mar; 
All that I need I take, 
Tremble, my Avatar! 

" Henceforth of thee no care 
Have I nor of thy might; 
Soon through the yielding air 
Swift shall I wing my flight ! 



Luckless Prometheus heard. 
Listened with boding awe; 

Felt at his breast the bird 
Tearing with bill and claw. 

Sadly the Titan said: 

"Trouble is still my part; 
Even the race I made 

Tears at its maker's heart. 



144 THREE WISHES. 

" Me the Compeller's rebuke, 
Punishment merciless, 
Harasseth less than thy look, 
Pigmy, of narrowness. 

" Selfish is all thy mind; 
Thou for thyself alone 
Seest, to others blind, 
Hard is thy heart as stone. 

" Zeus, for a bitter jest. 

Cankered my gifts to man ; 
Banned what I fain had blessed, 
Blessed what I meant to ban. 

" Truly Pandora still 

Regnant is here below, 
Ordering human skill 
Unto man's overthrow." 



THREE WISHES, 145 

Man, to the eagle's flight 

Bending his skill, began 
Fashioning pinions light. 

Framing the steering fan. 

Swift as the bird of Jove 

Thinking to cleave the air, 
Cunning and sleight to prove, 

Craftsman beyond compare. 

Sprang to the mountain's brow. 

Cried to the shining sun: 
Phoebus, behold me now! 

Mocker, the race is won! 



Master of flight am I, 
King over land and sea; 

Mythical lord of sky. 

Needs must thou yield to me! 



146 THREE WISHES. 

Spake, and on outspread wing, 
Eager his power to show. 

Leapt with a mighty spring — 
Fell on the plain below. 

Lordly Apollo leant 

Down from his golden car; 
Rang through the firmament 

Laughter of moon and star. 

" Folly is never old, 

Wisdom is always stale; 
Artifex overbold, 
Icarus redux, hail! " 



Vainly the human race 
Strives with the deities; 

Dissociating space 

Smiles at their vanities. 



RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 

Rio Pecos, Pecos River, 
Where the empty Indian quiver. 
On thy rocks with blood bespattered 
Cast and into fragments shattered 

By the frantic blow, 
Told the stern, avenging foeman 
That the grim Apache bowman 
Dared his fate to know. 
Hither, thither, surged the fighting 
Press, the god of war delighting. 

While the river's flow. 
Tireless, ceaseless in persistence. 
Making light of man's resistance, 

Neither swift nor slow. 
Washed the bloody stains of battle 
From the rocks below; 
147 



148 RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 

Heard, as hearing childish prattle, 
Crash of axe and musket rattle, 

Cry of friend and foe; 
Heard, and hearing in its steady 
Rhythmic course to pool and eddy, 

As it moved along, 
Told the grim and ghastly story, 
And the tale of conflict gory 

Wove into a song; 
Rising, falling, as the water 
Rose and fell, a song of slaughter, 
Murdered wife, deflowered daughter, 

Treachery and wrong; 
Swift pursuit and stern requital. 
Hour of fate and issue vital. 

Thrusting, grappling throng; 
Vengeance keen and struggle bloody, 
Death supreme and waters ruddy 

As the prairie rose; 
Ranger hat and Indian feather 
Floating down the stream together, 



RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 149 

Till with daylight's close 
Came the night on raven pinion, 
To exert her calm dominion, 

And the clang of blows, 
Shout of triumph, song of gladness. 
Frenzied yell and shriek of madness. 
Wail of grief and cry of sadness 

Hushed into repose. 



Rio Pecos, Pecos River, 
Breezes waver, rushes shiver, 
While above the maddened medley 
Of the final conflict deadly 
Floats the ragged-pinioned buzzard, 
Scanning calmly human hazard 

On the sands below; 
Like the saga bird, the raven, 
Presaging to every craven 

Heart its overthrow. 



I50 RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 

Swooping downward, upward lifting, 
Wildly flying, slowly drifting 

By on outspread wing; 
Poising deftly, circling trimly 
Overhead, and ever grimly 

Narrowing the ring. 
Taking loathly joy in viewing 
Fray and bloodshed, death and ruin, 

Pitch of human ill; 
Gathering in filthy caucus, 
Calling ghoul-like with the raucous 

Note that carries chill, 
Kite and buzzard each to other. 
Carrion mate to carrion brother, 

" Come and glut your fill; 
Gorge yourselves, a banquet regal, 
Fit for vulture, fit for eagle. 

Feast beyond compare 
Witless men are now providing, 
While the lords of prey are riding 

In the quiet air, 



RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 151 

Watching butchery and ravage, 
Grip on throttle, grapple savage, 

Choking gurgling breath; 
Men expiring, gasping, shrieking, 
Till the air around is reeking 

With the taint of death. 
Nearer yet and nearer flying. 
Hover o'er the dead and dying, 
Each to other bravely crying, 

' Meat is sweetest raw,' 
Fasten on the upward staring 
Faces and the eye-balls glaring. 

Hack with bill and claw; 
Flesh with beak and talon gripping. 
Flesh from bone and sinew stripping, 

Till with glutted craw. 
Of the banquet nothing bated. 
Lust of ofifal richly sated. 
We, the scavengers, elated. 

Slowly homeward draw." 



152 RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER, 

Rio Pecos, Pecos River, 
Think thereon, thou quiet Hver 
In the land of law and order. 
Far from that debated border 

Where a day of doom. 
Chambers dark of fate unlocking 
Turned the Indian's bitter mocking 

Into sullen gloom; 
Pride of dusky chieftain humbling, 
Till the red man, backward stumbling, 

Gave the white man room; 
Chilled and quenched his fire and fettle 
As in water heat of metal 

Plunged, is lost in spume; 
Racial passions banked and serried. 
Burying, as men are buried 

In the quiet tomb. 
Like some sorely wounded giant. 
Half despairing, half defiant, 
Crouched the Indian, still reliant 

On his numbers' strength; 



RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 153 

Shrinking from yet braving trial, 
Seeing with a keen espial 
Fated hour that mocked denial 

Surely come at length; 
While the rugged Texas Ranger, 
Scorning life and courting danger. 

With his eye of blue 
Unexultant viewed the wheeling 
Mob of riders, only feeling 

Hundreds were a few; 
Steadily his station keeping, 
As the shouting, rushing, leaping 

Foemen closer drew; 
Flower of the Apache nation 
Saw displayed without elation, 

Saw and surely knew 
Tragedy supreme in acting; 
Servant he of fate, exacting 

Vengeance overdue. 
Every hero single-handed 
Facing squad of Indians banded, 



154 RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 

As an eagle crows; 
Rifle firmly pressed to shoulder, 
Scanning every bush and boulder 

Whence his ambushed foes, 
Lying prone, then swiftly springing 
Upward, sent the bullet singing 

Through the parting air. 
Closer yet his weapon clinching, 
Arm and eye alike unflinching. 

Spread the skilful snare, 
Drew the savage from his cover. 
Chased him as the kite the plover, 

Drove him from his lair; 
Stern and cool his wily foeman 
Fronting, as of old the Roman 

Soldier Gallia's horde, 
Saw them bending, breaking, flying. 
Falling, till the dead and dying 

Choked the Pecos ford; 
Fleeing from his aim unerring 
As from dogfish flees the herring. 



RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 155 

Mackerel from shark; 
Cowering, scudding as the partridge 
From the missile of the cartridge 

Sped toward the mark. 
Smiled the Ranger, as though chasing- 
Men were pleasure, calmly facing- 
Death and final throe; 
Saw unmoved the life blood flowing 
Down his side, unshaken knowing 

That the set of sun 
Meant to him, the restless rover. 
Journey's ending, labour over, 

Human errand done. 
Death to him, devoid of terrors, 
Brought forgiveness for his errors, 

Came in peace and love; 
Buying for a life of sinning 
Pardon thus, and surely winning 

Mercy from above. 
Nay, that reckless Indian fighter, 
Thus in death the calm requiter 



156 RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 

Of a people's tear, 
Man himself, to woman tender, 
Hero born, and stanch defender, 

Knowing naught of fear, 
Leaves a name that annal hoary 
Still shall keep embalmed in story, 
Crimson with the flame of glory, 

Texas pioneer. 



Rio Pecos, Pecos River, 
This the tale thou didst deliver 
On a day in early summer. 
To a foreigner, late comer 

To thy bank and stream. 
Seemed to him that story tragic 
Interwoven with the magic 

Glamour of a dream. 
Softly o'er the sands below him 
Passed the Pecos River, flowing 

Southward evermore ; 



RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 157 

While a breeze of summer, blowing 
Ruffling counter to its going, 
Trailing flotsam backward throwing. 

Drove the swell before ; 
Water's face with bubbles stippling, 
Till the wavelet, gently rippling, 

Lapped the further shore. 
Overhead in azure heaven 
Feathered scavengers eleven, 
Turkey-buzzards four and seven 

Quietly did fare, 
Tranquilly in ether floating. 
Seemed asleep, to them denoting 
Naught that worthy was of coting 

Water, earth or air. 
Landward, on the waving grasses 
Calmly browsing, slowly passes 

Many a prairie steer. 
While a troop of frolic ponies. 
Scattering the startled conies. 

Suddenly appear, 



RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 

Wheeling round the mesquite bushes, 
Nibbhng damtily the rushes 

Of the gramma sere. 
Peacefully the cattle blinking, 
Peacefully and never shrinking 

From the watcher's eye; 
Tunefully the horse-bell tinkling. 
Mares at rest, with never inkling 

Of a danger nigh, 
Set the wayworn stranger thinking 
And the scene before him linking 

With a day gone by; 
Past and present times contrasting. 
Into union everlasting 

Blending quietly. 
Times of joy and plenty double 
Following on dearth and trouble 

As the day the night. 
After hours of dark confusion. 
When the sun in glad profusion 

Sheds abroad his light. 



RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 159 

Chasing grief and cheering sorrow, 
Bringing with the shining morrow 

Comfort and dehght. 
This the lesson, God doth never 
From his faithful servants sever, 
But abides with them for ever, 

Still defends the right; 
Cometh goodness out of badness, 
Cometh soundness out of madness, 
Cometh gladness out of sadness, 

Concord out of strife; 
After sorrow cometh singing, 
After death shall come the ringing 
Chant of joy, our spirits bringing 

To the perfect life. 



Rio Pecos, Pecos River, 
Poet, kneel and thank the Giver 
Of all good, that war and riot. 
Yielding place to peace and quiet, 



i6o RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 

Now are overpast; 
And this smiling Pecos Valley, 
Scene of many an Indian sally, 

Has beheld the last. 
Nevermore from bluff or barrow 
Forth shall fly the Indian arrow. 

Hissing poisoned breath; 
Nevermore need ranger's rifle 
Teach the red man that to trifle 

With the white means death. 
Nevermore shall dusky raiders 
Hover round the pale invaders 

Of their hunting grounds; 
Brave and squaw alike departed 
Scare no more the timid-hearted 

Farmer with the sounds 
Which his ear too well construing 
Knew to mean dismay and ruin, 

As the bay of hounds 
Tells the antelopes, arousing 
Buck and does from peaceful browsing. 



RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. i6i 

Sudden death is near. 
Tranquil work and quiet tillage 
Now take place of raid and pillage, 

Treachery and fear; 
Waving fields of corn and forage 
Greet the stranger and encourage 

Him to persevere. 
There the settler's worthy labour, 
Unrestrained by lawless neighbour. 

Steadily proceeds. 
Changing, like some kindly fairy, 
Barren hill and arid prairie 

Into woods and meads. 
Orchard, tilth and vineyard spreading 
Round the farmer's modest steading. 

Gladdening his home; 
Neigh of horse and low of cattle 
Mingling with his children's prattle. 

While the sandy loam, 
After centuries of slumber 
Wakes, the tiller's barn to cumber 



i62 RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER, 

With a plenteous yield ; 
Teaching him no more to grumble 
At his lot and prize the humble 

Labours of the field; 
Teaching him to shun the hollow 
Ways of men and meekly follow 

Nature where she leads, 
Thanking her, the generator. 
Thanking humbly the Creator 

Who his daily needs 
Thus providing, sets before him 
Table bountiful and o'er him 

Stretches out His arm; 
He, the Guardian unsleeping, 
Evermore His servant keeping 

Well secured from harm. 
Thank Him, farmer, for the morning, 
Thank Him for the eve's adorning. 

Thank Him for the rain; 
Thank Him when the night is ended, 
Thank Him when the sun descended 



RIO PECOS, PECOS RIVER. 163 

Bringeth in its train 
Ease of labour, homeward wending-, 
To the great Provider bending. 

Thank Him once again. 
Kneel before Him, valley tiller. 
Kneel before the great Fulfiller 

Of thy peaceful days; 
Thus thy labour vivifying. 
Thus thy living purifying, 
Thus thy dying sanctifying, 

Give to Him the praise. 



L'ENVOL 

Thou little volume of my verse, 

Go forth, and murmur not, 
I needs must put thee out to nurse, 

For such, alas! thy lot. 
To beg thy bread from strangers' hands, 

An exile from thy home, 
A wanderer over seas and lands. 

My little book, to roam. 

A slender weanling still thou art. 

Scarce fit to walk alone. 
Yet maybe none will take thy part 

Or heed thy feeble moan. 
" O, take me up! " I hear thee cry, 

*' My author turns me out! " 
The busy public pass thee by, 

Or listen but to flout. 
164 



rENVOI. 165 



Ah, cruel fate that wills it so, 

Dear booklet of my heart, 
I scarce can bear to see thee go. 

Yet thou and I must part. 
Tho' for thy sake thy father stays 

Behind thee at the Ranch, 
His love attends thee on thy ways. 

Thou little olive-branch. 



Perchance the world is not so cold 

As thou, my book, dost fear. 
And some kind friend thy hand may hold 

And whisper words of cheer. 
If such there be, whate'er his name. 

Straight to his breast repair. 
Stake out within his heart thy claim. 

And build thy homestead there. 



I5 



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